Articles

Euroscepticisme in België : Economische belangen, culturele identiteit en politiek wantrouwen

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Abstract

This article tries to analyse and improve the individual-level approaches to the study of public Euroscepticism in Belgium. In recent literature, three approaches focusing on instrumental, cultural and political cues can be distinguished. First, the utilitarian approach associates Euroscepticism with economie interests. Second, the cultural approach draws on cultural attitudes and affective identities. Third, the political approach associates support for European integration with political efficacy and institutional trust. Drawing upon Belgian data from the lntUne Project 2007, the results show that negative evaluations of the benefits of European membership, social distrust in European fellow citizens and institutional distrust in the EU are the most important determinants of Euroscepticism, while education, national attachment, exclusive identity and political powerlessness have a minor impact.

How to Cite:

Abts, K., Heerwegh, D. & Swyngedouw, M., (2008) “Euroscepticisme in België : Economische belangen, culturele identiteit en politiek wantrouwen”, Res Publica 50(4), 357-381.